Buck Uptmor Obituary

Buck Uptmor of West Volunteer Fire Department died in the explosion at West Fertilizer Co. in West, Texas.

WILLIAM "BUCK" UPTMOR: Fence-builder, musician, rodeo devotee

Uptmor, 45, owned a fence-building business and was supposed to start a job at a nearby ranch soon. Among other projec ts, Uptmor's company built the local cemetery's fence, said Bill McKown, a retired school superintendent from Abbott, Texas, a town six miles from West.

"He was always busy," building fences, McKown said. "Because he was very reliable."

Uptmor was the drummer for the band Billy Uptmor and the Makers. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching his children's sporting events, coaching Little League and supporting his daughter in barrel racing. He trained and jockeyed race horses and loved to rodeo, whether it was riding bulls or saddle and bareback broncos, according to an obituary released by a funeral home in West.

Buck Uptmor of West Volunteer Fire Department died in the explosion at West Fertilizer Co. in West, Texas.

WILLIAM "BUCK" UPTMOR: Fence-builder, musician, rodeo devotee

Uptmor, 45, owned a fence-building business and was supposed to start a job at a nearby ranch soon. Among other projec ts, Uptmor's company built the local cemetery's fence, said Bill McKown, a retired school superintendent from Abbott, Texas, a town six miles from West.

"He was always busy," building fences, McKown said. "Because he was very reliable."

Uptmor was the drummer for the band Billy Uptmor and the Makers. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching his children's sporting events, coaching Little League and supporting his daughter in barrel racing. He trained and jockeyed race horses and loved to rodeo, whether it was riding bulls or saddle and bareback broncos, according to an obituary released by a funeral home in West.

Guest Book Highlights

"I am deeply sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and all the families affected by this unspeakable tragedy."- walterrean salley (savannah, GA)

"Sorry for the loss of your loved one. 2 Cor.1:9 In fact, we felt within ourselves that we had received the sentence of death. This was that we might have our trust, not in ourselves, but in the God who raises up the dead." (MD)

"This Ohioan never had the pleasure of meeting Buck, but as a lover of horses and all God's creatures, I knew I had to write something in his guest book. Buck -may your family find peace in your great sacrifice."

"My heart sank on that tragic day watching the breaking news in West knowing all the family I have there. Hoping and praying that no one was hurt in the explosion... 14 brave souls died that day. My cousin, Buck, died a selfless hero. May God..."- Beverly Uptmor Smith (Dallas, TX)